Apparatus for bending channels or the like



1945. I J. H. NEWSOME ET L 2,382,901

APPARATUS FOR BENDING CHANNELS OR THE LIKE Filed Jan. 1, 1943 3Sheets-Sheet l I'NVENTORS J f/N A/EWSOME A'AF/FED DAV/.5

ATTORNEY 1945. J. H. NEWSOME ET AL 2,382,901

APPARATUS FOR BENDING- CHANNELS OR THE LIKE Filed Jan. 1, 1943 5Sheets-5het 2 I IT? INYENTORS JOHN H NEH/SOME flZF/FED Dar/5 ATTORNEYAug. 14, 1945. J. H. NEWS OME ET AL 2,382,901

APPARATUS FOR BENDING CHANNELS OR THE LIKE /Z iNVENTORS JOHN H. IVEWSOME//2 F/PfO 04:05 a Y Patented Aug. 14, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcEAPPARATUS rogfg e CHANNELS on John H. Newsome, Railway. and AlfredDavis, Union, N. J asslgnors to Elastic Stop Nut Corporation, acorporation of New Jersey Application January 1, 1943, Serial No}471,034 2 Claims. (01.153-46) This invention relates to the bending orshaping ofchannels or the like. The novel apparatus of this invention isparticularly applicable to the bending of open-box channels, that is,rectangular in shape but having a partially open-top, such as may beformed by a flange extending inward- 1y from the top of each side wallof the channel. However, it will be understood that the principles ofthis invention are applicable to the bending of channel having manydifferent cross-sectional forms.

There are many instances of use for. which it is necessary to change theshape of a channel of the above type, such as bending or shaping astraight channel to form a circular, or'other curved or partiallycurved, shape. Normally, it is essential that the cross-sectional shapebe unchanged after bending. Prior to this invention, no reallysatisfactory way of accomplishing this had been developed. In onemethod, used relatively extensively for bending open-box channels, thechannel, which may be formed of aluminum, steel or the like, is filledwith molten lead or other material which has a lower melting point thanthe material of the channel. After the lead has solidified, the channelis :bent to the desired shape, the solid lead within the channel forcingthe channel to maintain substantially its cross-sectional shape. Thelead is then melted out, and the curved channel is ready for use. Tocarry out such a method is expensive, not only because of the equipment,but also because aconsiderable amount of lead is tied up in inventory.In addition, the necessary equipment takesup a large amount of floorspace, the number of "operations required is excessive, and the methoditself is time-consuming.

Among the objects provide novel apparatus for bending a channel, andmore particularly an open-box channel or the like; to provide suchapparatus forbending a channel in cold condition; to provide such anapparatus which is capable of performing the bending in a singleoperation; whilemaintaining the desired cross-sectional shape of thechannel; to provide such apparatus which, through adjustability orchangeability of parts, can be utilized to bend channel or the like tovarious radii or curves; to provide such apparatus .which can be usedfor bending channel having various cross-sectional shapes or forms; toprovid such apparatus which is readily adjustable but which is highlyaccurate and maintains such, accuracy during extensive operations; andto provide such apparatus which is simple in design and efiicient inoperation. Other objects and novel features of this invention willbecome apparent from the description which follows. 7

In accordance with this invention, a channel and more particularly abox-shaped channel havingapartially enclosed top-is'sh'aped or bent to 7a desired curvature by exerting pressure against of this invention areto or supportingsuccessive portionsof the walls and thetop of-thechannel at two or more spaced points, both inside and outside.- The twoor more spacedpoints within the interior of the channel and the two ormore spaced points on each side of the. channel, at which pressure orsupport is maintained, are preferably in lateral alignment. Arelativemovement, longitudinally of the channel,of the points of pressure orsupport is eiIect-' ed, the movement of these points with respect to theinitial position of these points on the channel conforming to thedesired shape to be imparted to the channel. In further accordanc withthis inventiompressure or support may be maintained along one side ofthe channel as the relative movement progresses, so that at the end ofthe bending operation, pressure or support is applied along the entireside of the channel, from the initial to the terminal positions.Preferably, the side chosen is located on the inside of the curve. Also,one end of the channel is preferably clamped or retained in a relativelyfixed position, while the points of pressure or support are moved alonga, path corresponding to the curvature to be imparted to the channel.

Further objects and advantages-of our invention will be apparent fromthe following description considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part of this specification and of which Fig.1 isa. perspective view of apparatus constructed in accordance with thisinvention, with a channel in position for bending;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of 'the apparatus, similar to Fig. 1, withthe channel partially bent;

engagement of the rollers with the channel, taken along line 8-8 of Fig.

Fig. 9 is a side view of a channel clamping device forming a. portion ofthe apparatus; and

Fig. 10 is a vertical section of the clamping device.

Apparatus of this invention, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, comprisesgenerally a plurality of channel engaging rollers which are carried byan adjustable box B, which is in turn mounted on a pivoted arm A. Therollers engage both interior and exterior surfaces of the channel, asdescribed more particularly later, and bend the channel around a centralplate I as arm A is rotated from the position of Fig. 1 to that of Fig.2, and beyond. An end of the channel may be held in fixed position, asby a clamping device L, so that during rotation of the arm, the channelwill be wrapped around plate III, the edge of which conforms to thelongitudinal contour to be imparted to the channel. The edge of plate Inis provided with a groove II which substantially conforms in lateralsection to one side of the channel. The foregoing parts, and a baseplate I2, which restrains downward movement of the channel duringbending and also provides a convenient working surface, may be mountedat a suitable height .atop a support S. The arm A may, if desired, be

supported and guided at the periphery of plate I2 by a roller support R.

Channel C is substantially box shaped in crosssection, with an openingat the top. Thus, as in Figs. 1 and 2, each side I4 or I5 of the channelis provided with an inwardly extending flange I6 at the top edgethereof. As shown in Figs. 5 and 8, the rollers journaled in box Bcomprise spaced inner rollers I1 and I8, and equally spaced outerrollers I9 and 20, rollers I1 and I9 comprising a forward pair androllers I8 and 20 comprising a rear pair. The lower ends of innerrollers I! and I8 fit within the channel, being provided with flanges 2|which extend to sides I4 and I5 and up to flanges I8. Each outer rollerI9 and 20 is aligned with the corresponding inner roller, and conformsin lateral shape to edge l5 and the top of its flange I6, thus beingprovided with a laterally extending flange 22.

As is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4, groove II substantially correspondsin shape to side It and the top of its flange I6, thus'forming anoverhanging lip, as shown. Central plate I0, which may be affixed tobase plate I2 in any suitable manner. as by cap screws, as shown, ispreferably replaced by a central plate of the correct dimensions forproducing bends of different radii or bending channels of differentsizes. Plate II) is circular, except for a bevel section 23, which witha depression 24 formed in a quadrant of base plate I2, permit readlerinsertion of a channel into the device.

. Plate I0 is preferably situated on the inside of the curve to whichthe channel is to be bent. Side ll of the channel is shown as beingsituated on the inside of the curve, and side I5 on the outside, butthese positions may be reversed, since the channel is symmetrical aboutits longitudinal axis, groov II will conform to the corresponding sideof the channel. Also, although the periphery of plate I0 is shown ascircular, it will be understood that it may vary in radius, conformingto any desired contour or curve to be imparted to the channel.

As is evident from Figs. 1 and 4, each inner roller H or I8 cooperateswith the corresponding outer roller I9 or 20, groove II, and base plateI2, to form openings at two spaced points having substantially the samecross-sectional shape as the channel. Plate I0 is, of course, flush withthe top surface of base plate I2, and the clearance between the bottomof outer rollers I9 and 20, and this top surface, is made as small aspossible. The clearance between the bottom of inner rollers l1 and I8and the surface of plate I2 is substantially the thickness of the baseof the channel.

To bend channel C, after the foregoing various parts of the apparatushave been adjusted to correct position, the end of the channel may bepushed between the inner and outer rollers, with the arm A in a positionslightly to the rear of that shown in Figs. 1 and 3. In such a position.inner wall I4 of the channel clears bevel-section 23, and the bottom ofthe channel is spaced above depression 24. This reduces considerably theamount of effort required, as the clearance between the bottom of therollers and the top surface of plate I3 is relatively small; and theposition of the inner rollers is such that the circumference of groove II extends outwardly to a point between the inner rollers.

When the channel has been inserted between the inner and outer rollers,arm A is moved to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3, so that thechannel is under a knurled cam 26 of clamping device L. To clamp thechannel, a handle 21 is moved downwardly so that the knurled outersurface of cam 26 will engage the bottom of the channel.

After the end of the channel has been clamped securely, arm A is thenmoved in a clockwise direction, as in the direction of the arrow of Fig.1, so that the channel is pulled by the rollers around the edge of plateIll. The minimum clearance between the bottom of the inner roller andtop of plate l2 insures that the channel will not twist or warplaterally while being bent, and the pressure against or support of thewalls and top of the channel, both inside and out, at two spaced points,insures that the desired cross-sectional shape of the channel will bemaintained. As is indicated by operations with apparatus constructed inaccordance with this invention, the metal of the channel flows duringthe bending operation, the metal in the inside wall of the channeltending to be compressed with that in the outside wall tending to bestretched. Although not definitely proven, it is believed that the firstpair of rollers bend the channel to the desired radius, while the secondpair of rollers, in conjunction with groove I I, reshape the channel tothe desired cross-sectional form. After the rollers have passed beyondthe end of the channel, at a point somewhere around the periphery ofplate ID, the clamping device is loosened and the bent channel removed.Normally, it is desirable to saw oil a portion of the end of the bentchannel, since the inner edge extends beyond the outer edge, due to thereactions and flow of metal. Also, in certain instances, as when aflattened elliptical outline is to be formed by several channelsections, it may be desirable to leave a straight portion at one end ofa semicircle or quadrant.

Box B is adjustable both longitudinally and laterally along arm A, andincludes a lower block 30 and a. cap.3I. Lower block 30, as seen inFigs. 5 and 6, is provided with a groove 32 sufficiently wider than armA to permit lateral adiustment. Four set screws 33 extend through theside wall of block 30, to engage the sides of arm A ers.

lower block so, which is provided with suitable,

holes for four bushings 34, one for each of rollers l1, l8, l8 and 20.The bushings and rollers may be held in place in any suitable manner,such as by a press fit between each bushing and block I and a washer andcap screw assembly 35 afnxed to the upper end of each roller.

' The support R, as is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, includes a block31, secured to arm A in any suit- .able manner, such as by cap screws asshown.

Three rollers 38, one above and two below plate l2, are mounted onbearing pins 39. Use of roller support R may :be [found unnecessary inmany operations.

Support S, as is shown in Fig. 4, includes pedestal l0 and a bearingplate ll, welded or aflixed in any other suitable manner atop thepedestal. Plate l2 and a bushing 42 are secured to bearing plate 4| suchas by cap screws, while an annular collar 43, which maintains therigidity of bushing 42, is similarly secured to pedestal 40 beneathplate 4i. Arm A is bolted to the upper end of a pin 44, for whichbushing 42 forms a bearing, and a collar 45 is attached to the lower endof the pin to restrain axial movement of the pin and arm A.

Clamping device L, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, includes a right anglebracket 48 fastened to plate l2 in depression 24 in any suitable manner,as by cap screws. A pin 41 extends horizontally from the upright leg ofthe bracket to provide a pivot zfor the cam 26, The cam is also providedwith a bevel section 48, which when at the :bottom of the cam, permitsthe channel to be inserted or removed from the side, the bevel sectionclearing the the top of the channel. After insertion of the channel,handle 21! is rotated in the direction of the curved arrow of Fig. 9 toclamp the channel. The radius of cam 30 beyond bevel section 40increases so that, when a pull is exerted on channel C in the directionof the straight arrow of Fig. 9, the cam will tend to be pulled intotighter engagement with the channel, thus locking the channel moresecurely.

The lateral position of the rollers, and the respective clearancesbetween the inner rollers and groove ii in accordance with the tilt ofbox B, may vary in accordance with the size of channel to be bent andthe, radius of curvature desired. Normally, box B is tilted slightlywith respect to arm A so that the rear inner roller is is closer togroove it than the forward inner roller it; also, the space between theforward rollers is slightly less than the space between the rear roll-For many operations, the inside of box B may be tilted rearwardly toprovide an angle of about 4 between the axis of the box and arm A.However, it may be found desirable toincrease or decrease this angle fora particular operation, since the final width of the channel may be madeslightly greater by decreasing the angle, or slightly less by increasingthe angle. In addition, the radius of curvature of the channel may bevaried slightly by moving box B forwardly or rearwardly with respect toarm A, the radius of curvature of the channel tending to become largerwhen box B is moved rearwardly. Also, it may sometimes be rounddesirable to slant the side and upper edges ofgroove II, whichapparently assists in overcoming the tendency for the channel to springout of shape after bending. There are, of course, limitations to thechanges in radius, etc., which may be obtained by the above adjustments.

As an example of one operation carried out in accordance with thisinvention, but not in limitation thereof, a channel section 0.580 in.wide, 0.516 in. high, andprovided with a top opening 0.410 in. wide. wasbent to a 1% in.

radius. The side of groove H was tilted outwardly at the bottom at anangle of 12, and the upper edge of the groove was tilted upwardly at anangle at 4, while the distance between the wall of groove 32 and arm Awas A. in. greater at the rear inside corner than at the rear outsidecorner. The rollers and groove were otherwise proportioned and adjustedin accordance with the size of the channel, the radius of the peripheryof plate l0 being slightly less than that desired finally, to compensatef r a corresponding slight spring in the channel after bending.

When the curvature to be imparted to the channel varies in radius, orincludes some curved and some straight portions, box B should, ofcourse, be mounted so as to follow the curve. Thlsmay be accomplished bya spring of suitable pressure acting to force the box toward plate l0,or a suitable cam follower engaging a slot conforming to the peripheryof plate I0. Other .ways of accomplishing the desired motion of box Bwill suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

Although the apparatus in accordance with this invention have beendescribed in connection with bending chatmel having straight side wallsand flanges, it will be understood that the side walls or flanges may becurved or have some other configuration. In addition, although oneembodiment of this invention has been described in detail, it will beunderstood that various changes may be made and that other modificationsmay exist without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention,as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for bending a channel having a web and a pair offlanges, a plate having a curved edge conforming to the curvature to beimparted to the channel, an arm pivotally mounted withrespect to saidplate, two pairs of rollers rotatably carried by said arm, one roller ofeach pair being located so as to enter said channel between the fiangesthereof and being spaced from the curved edges of said plate a distancesubstantially equal to the thickness of one of said flanges, thediameter of said one roller of each pair being substantially equal tothe space between said flanges, the other roller of each pair beinglocated so as to contact the outside of the other flange at pointsopposite the points of contact between said one roller of each pair andthe inside of said other flange, and means for rotating said arm tocause said rollers to travel parallel to said curved edge to ersrotatably mounted in said structure, one roller of each pair beinglocated so as to enter said channel between the flanges thereof andbeing spaced from the curved edge of said plate a distance substantiallyequal to the thickness of one of said flanges, the diameter of vthefirstnamed roller oi each pair being substanially equal to the spacebetween said flanges, the other roller of each pair being located so asto contact the outside of the other flange at points opposite the points0! xontact between said firstmentioned roller of each pair and theinside of said other flange. means for adjusting the position of saidsupporting structure on said arm so as to vary the spacing between therespective first-mentioned rollers and the curved edge or said plate,and means for rotating said arm to cause said rollers to travel parallelto said curved edge to thereby bend the channel in conformity with thecurvature of said edge.

JOHN H. NEWSOME. ALFRED DAVIS.

